EMPOWERMENT was the theme yesterday at a Country Women's Association celebration of International Women's Day.
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About 80 women, dressed in trademark purple, packed out the Axedale Tavern to a scrumptious morning tea.
Guest speakers talked about the power of choice and the importance of female leadership.
Heathcote Health clinical care director Di Kenyon said her message to women was to not just let life take its course, but to determine their own future.
"People often think, 'I don't have a choice'," Ms Kenyon said.
"We do have a choice".
Axedale Our Town, Our Future president Yvonne Wrigglesworth spoke about her own experience in community leadership.
She said women made fantastic leaders, and it was important to be a leader as an example to her daughter.
Ms Wrigglesworth said she was a feminist but didn't use that word often because the "hard yards" had been done by generations before her.
But she said there was still progress to be made for equality between men and women.
People often think, 'I don't have a choice'. We do have a choice.
- Di Kenyon
"The pay gap. People think it's not there but it is," Ms Wrigglesworth said.
Ms Kenyon said there was still an expectation that women should be the ones to stay home, but attitudes were changing.
On the other hand, Ms Wrigglesworth said it was common for women to feel pressure to have it all - be good home life, children and a professional career.
"You can have it all, you just can't have it all at the same time," she said.
"But you've got to work hard.
"And there's nothing wrong with wanting to be at home."
An International Women's Day event at Lake Weeroona this Sunday will celebrate the contribution of women to emergency services.
Special guests include Minister for Emergency Services Jane Garrett and Emergency Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley.
Local councils are providing bus transport to those who do not have a car.
Call 0428 271 052 to book a seat.
